ALBANESE GOVERNMENT’S SCHOOL FUNDING LEGISLATION IS PREMATURE

11 October 2024

Today’s introduction of school funding legislation into Parliament shows that the Albanese Government does not understand the reality on the ground of their failed school funding negotiations and the impact that this is having on the wellbeing and morale of teachers and students in public schools.

“While we welcome legislative moves to lock in a floor for the Commonwealth share of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), it is beyond belief that the Albanese Government is setting this floor at the previous Coalition Government’s 20% cap,” said Correna Haythorpe, Federal President of the Australian Education Union (AEU).

With stalled school funding negotiations for the vast majority of states and one territory, the introduction of legislation into Parliament by the Albanese Government is premature.

There are a number of key issues:

  1. The setting of a floor is critically important to future proof the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) against incoming federal governments who are motivated to reduce public school funding.
  2. A floor of 20% is not good enough. It sets the floor at the Coalition government’s cap instead of the full 25% that is needed.
  3. The government needs to answer the question about what the regulations currently allow them to do in terms of delivering funding to the NT, WA and TAS. Is legislation really needed right now?
  4. The floor should not be set until all states and territories have signed bilateral agreements, then a true floor can be set rather than cementing in the previous government’s position.
  5. The legislation is silent on the 4% depreciation tax and its removal from school funding agreements.
  6. A ten year agreement locks in a decade of inequality for the next generation of young Australians.

“There has been no genuine opportunity for consultation on this draft legislation. Further, we have the astonishing situation whereby NSW, VIC, SA, QLD and the ACT have been told that they will receive status quo funding for next year, therefore no additional money for these states,” continued Ms Haythorpe.

“This can only be viewed as a cynical political move against states that have held firm for a full 100% SRS on behalf of their public schools. This approach entrenches inequality for the students, teachers and families of these jurisdictions.

“There is an urgent need for the Albanese Government to show leadership and return to the negotiating table with a “better and fairer” school funding offer for states and territories.”

ENDS


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